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I recently spent almost 2 grand on his milk teeth, they were really bad. Now he's growing the real ones and he doesn't brush. I am tired of telling him to brush them the minute he hets up but his excuse is: "Oh, I forgot"
I am getting really frustrated since I just don't know what to do. I offered him an allowance and that didn't work. I told him I would take away his video games and nothing, I told him I wouldn't let him out to play outside and nothing. What can I do? Any suggestions?
GO into the bathroom with him and make him do it... I don't think brushing your teeth at eight is something that warrents an allowance... it is something they should be doing regardless... They have that rinse you can buy that shows the grime on your teeth so you can see where you aren't brushing...buy that and show him the damage... At a young age I told my children about "sugar bugs" that eat holes in your teeth... they reside in the sugars of foods you eat and hang out on your teeth until you brush them trying to nibble.... They brush after every meal. I used SUGAR BUGS because they aren't going to understand plaque at a small age... maybe you need to actually explain to him how you get a cavity...
GO into the bathroom with him and make him do it... I don't think brushing your teeth at eight is something that warrents an allowance... it is something they should be doing regardless... They have that rinse you can buy that shows the grime on your teeth so you can see where you aren't brushing...buy that and show him the damage... At a young age I told my children about "sugar bugs" that eat holes in your teeth... they reside in the sugars of foods you eat and hang out on your teeth until you brush them trying to nibble.... They brush after every meal. I used SUGAR BUGS because they aren't going to understand plaque at a small age... maybe you need to actually explain to him how you get a cavity...
Thanks for your input. I have been there/done that actually standing next to him in the bathroom watching him do it. But when I am not home he "forgets" to brush.
I tried to encourage him to do it by offering the allowance since everything else failed. I just don't want to be mean to him because it probably may backfire.
they have a new type of tooth brush that plays music--maybe he will enjoy that. the song is 2 minutes long and you are supposed to brush for at least the span of the song--its worth a try!
Maybe get him an electric toothbrush. My boys are like theirs, I guess I should say "battery operated." The other option is you tell him if he doesn't you will brush them for him. I have an almost 8 yr old but he is pretty good about brushing but even more so now that he got his new toothbrush.
Routine, routine and more routine. It may take a while but just like with anything else, even when training animals---it's about routine. Same time same place! Go in and stand with him, brush your teeth at the same time. An electric toothbrush might make it better if only for the fact that they tend to clean better! If you are not at home to do this then have whoever is at home with your son do it with him!
I am off to work at 4 am so it is impossible to be there and make him do it. On my days off I actually wait for him to be up and take him to bathroom myself, it is only on the days I am working.
He has one of those fancy battery operated toothbrush for kids. He's at home with the grandparents and they're usually up by noon meanwhile he's up around 9 to 10 am, the time me and my wife are at work.
What if I tell his friends to make comments in front of him about how they all brush their teeth and how much fun it is? Will that be a good idea?
I recently spent almost 2 grand on his milk teeth, they were really bad. Now he's growing the real ones and he doesn't brush. I am tired of telling him to brush them the minute he hets up but his excuse is: "Oh, I forgot"
I am getting really frustrated since I just don't know what to do. I offered him an allowance and that didn't work. I told him I would take away his video games and nothing, I told him I wouldn't let him out to play outside and nothing. What can I do? Any suggestions?
I have a 16 year old with braces, and I get the same response as your 8 year old. Welcome to the fun of "I don't want to do it, so I won't remember" club! lol Aside from lifting him by his shirt and putting him against the wall, I've tried just about everything else as he's grown up. I'm trying the vanity thing now since he's starting to notice girls and clean up more ("Dang... when you got to the mall, do you want them smelling your breath like that?")
Perhaps his thinking is, hey they look clean enough. Why do I need to bother? Perhaps you can get some of those red, plaque-seeking tablets from your dentist. Have him chew one and then smile in the mirror. His new challenge will be to get the red out.
Every morning, after breakfast, he can chew another one, then get the red out. If nothing else, if he walks around all day with the red stains, people will comment (or at least stare) and maybe that'll get on his nerves.
I'd image it will be easier once school resumes and he can have a more routine morning.
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